Bard College Reviews

"Bard College is truly a place to think. Nestled in the picturesque Hudson valley, Bard is an oasis for coming into your own and learning alongside driven, curious, and creative students. It has a unique spirit to be sureits not a place for those who like the comfort of conformity or to sit quietly in the back of the classroom. Small class sizes with a round-table format allow for lively debate and discussion, where students learn as much from each other as they do from their professors. Bards version of a thesis is called the senior project, in which last-year students work on an individual intellectual or creative pursuit for a full academic year with the support of an advisor. This project is the culmination of a track of classes in a department or spanning departments called a focus, much like a major. While Bard doesnt have many requirements, students are required to take a certain number of classes in specific disciplines. There are enough choices that its likely you would fulfill this obligation without thinking too much about it. Bard is close enough to New York City that it is possible to engage with events and resources that the city has to offer. The surrounding area has a lot to offer culturally, too, as a result of this proximity. If yoe are interested in art, theater, music, or culinary arts, youll find it in troves. If youre interested in competitive sports or greek life, youll want to look elsewhere!Read Less"

"This was an interesting experience and different from other colleges. Bard is very small, and to succeed you need to be a self motivated learner and student."

"Bard's Environmental Policy program is unique in that you spend the first year taking a pre-set interdisciplinary course load and you spend the second year working full-time in a professional internship wherever you want during the first semester and then second semester writing your thesis back on campus or remotely if you get a job. The first year is spent learning the fundamentals: environmental policy, economics, and science and the second year is spent applying your knowledge to the real-world and then to your final research project. While you may not have much flexibility in your first year to choose your classes, the second year has many options for you to begin your career. Bard is a small program with 12-25 students per class, so you get lots of individual attention and support, which is crucial to a graduate program. The alumni network is great with people working across the globe in high-level policy careers at local, state, national, and international levels. Many students are able to utilize the alumni network to get their internships and a number of students are able to find jobs before they graduate. The surrounding area is nice for outdoor recreation, but does not have the greatest social scene unless small towns are your thing. Your classmates become your best friends and New York City is only about an hour away. With a full course load during the first year, there isn't much time for socializing anyway.Read Less"

"Bard College offers three graduate programs in sustainability, a climate science policy track, an environmental policy track, and a sustainable business administration track. The programs are relatively new but have managed to amass a large alumni network across many countries. The professors and administrators are committed to students doing well and being a resource. The workload is severe and the program is intense. This is because of the set up over the two years with the built in internship. However, I feel as though this will prepare me for the work I'm expected to enter into. The financial aid is hard to come by and is competitive in the small program. Partly because the intensity of the program and the environment in which Bard College is situated the social life is hard to come by. As well, the public transportation is often unavailable unless you have access to a vehicle. Overall, the campus is beautiful and safe. The program is intense and needs some work with organization but the integrative nature lends to well prepared graduates.Read Less"

"Bard's innovative MS in Environmental Policy program has a modular design that focuses on topics such as water, air, biodiversity, and risk as cohesive units in all subjects. Students get a fast-paced grounding in economics, statistics/econometrics, science, policy, law, communications, and GIS during their first year; the second year is focused on a full-time internship and a thesis. This set-up allows for a grounding in important policy tools and the opportunity to get work experience and in-depth personalized research in just two years.Read Less"

"The Center for Environmental Policy (CEP) at Bard College is a world-renowned graduate program focusing on developing political and scientific leaders in the world of climate and environmental policy. The faculty are at the top of their respective field and are always available to help students outside of class time. This is due in no small part to the program size and favorable student/faculty ratio. An intensive first-year class schedule allows students to focus on a prolonged 3 to 4 month internship during the second year. This in-depth internship allows students to gain more experience and knowledge within their realm of study which can lead to better job prospects following graduation. The only real con to the program is the rural setting, but this is only a negative if a prospective student is looking to live within a larger college community or in a city-like setting.Read Less"

"Bard College at Simon's Rock is a rigorous academic environment that thrives on both students and professors who strive to make learning a top priority. It is an excellent institution that is geared towards challenging curriculum and possesses the utilities in order to allow students to have all of the critical components of a successful educational environment. Although socially, it is sometimes difficult to spend time with new people or spend time in town at leisurely times, there's always ways to find escapes whether it be a stroll down on the scenic campus or a group walk to the nearby town.Read Less"

"Great school! Awesome graduate program! I am starting a Masters of Science in Economic Theory and I believe is a great faculty and program"